The government have announced an extra £250 million worth of Covid funding for adult social care, just three days before existing funds were due to run out. The funds will be used to help care providers to maintain sufficient staffing levels while controlling Covid-19 infections, and to fund testing, in line with the latest...
Autumn Covid-19 booster jabs for over 50s
Vaccine experts have advised that more than 30 million people, including all adults aged 50 and over, should receive a third dose of a coronavirus vaccine ahead of winter. It is understood that the NHS has started planning a Covid vaccine booster jab programme for the UK in anticipation of a bigger than normal...
HSE continues Covid spot checks as infection rates rise
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have advised that they will be continuing to carry out Covid spot checks and inspections on businesses after the date for the final easing of lockdown restrictions was pushed back. Amid rising infection rates, as the new Delta variant of Covid-19 spreads, businesses must continue to have Covid-secure...
‘Disruptive’ Covid school rules to end
Covid-19 control measures for schools, which mean that groups of pupils have to self-isolate when one tests positive, could come to an end in the autumn, it has been suggested. The new Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, has pledged to address the issue after figures revealed that 279,000 children in England were self-isolating after having...
Department for Education had ‘no plan’ to deal with pandemic
A group of MPs has claimed that the Department for Education (DfE) had “no plan” to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. A report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) says the DfE struggled to react to the unfolding pandemic in a timely and effective way and that their failure to set standards for both...
HSE continues COVID spot checks
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned businesses that it will be continuing to carry out Covid-19 spot checks and inspections as the nation continues on the roadmap out of lockdown. Britain’s health and safety watchdog is working with local authorities to carry out spot checks and inspections on local businesses as the...
Landmark mental health study reveals rise in loneliness
A landmark mental health study reveals a mixed picture for the UK one year after the Covid-19 pandemic took hold, with more adults experiencing loneliness. The Mental Health in the Pandemic study, which began shortly before the first national lockdown in March 2020 and has asked questions of the UK public at 10 intervals...
Occupational safety and health leads Covid recovery
The Director of Professional Services at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has commented on how the occupational safety and health (OSH) profession is leading the way in the recovery from Covid-19. In a commentary featured in the Hays UK Salary and Recruiting Trends Guide 2021, Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher spoke of how OSH...
HSE Chair reflects on 12 months of Covid
The Chair of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Sarah Newton, has shared her reflections on the past year, which saw Britain and its workplaces battle against the coronavirus pandemic. Launching the HSE’s new regular website blog, Ms. Newton, who became Chair of Britain’s health and safety watchdog in August last year, explained that...
Covid-19 shielding ends for millions
Today (Wednesday 31st March 2021) marks the final day that millions of the most clinically vulnerable people in England and Wales are advised to shield. Letters have been sent out to around 4 million clinically extremely vulnerable people over the last few weeks, advising them that they no longer need to shield at home....
Survey reveals impact of coronavirus on UK children
A new survey capturing the experiences of children and young people during the pandemic has revealed many have faced mental health challenges over the past year. Conducted by Survation for Newsround, the survey asked over 2,000 6–16-year-olds from all across the UK about their experiences during 2020-21, questioning them about a range of issues,...
HSE guidance for reopened schools
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued guidance for schools on ensuring they remain Covid-secure as they reopen for the Spring term. England’s health and safety watchdog has reminded schools that they must have mitigating measures in place to control the risks from Covid-19, as well as “arrangements in place to ensure effective...
IOSH partners with WHO to protect lives and livelihoods
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has partnered with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to provide free online learning to help businesses and workers develop their knowledge around Covid-19. The two organisations have developed a new course which teaches people about preventing transmission of Covid-19 and managing the risks of returning to...
Government assurances to parents as schools return
The government has laid out guidance, information and assurances about early years providers, schools and colleges for parents. While nurseries and childminders have remained open and allowed children to attend their usual hours during the third national lockdown in England, schools are due to reopen for all students from 8th March. The government has...
Call to care campaign launches
The public are being urged to consider and apply for both short and long-term work opportunities in the adult social care sector as well as volunteer roles. The Department of Health and Social Care have launched the next phase in their national recruitment campaign for the sector, which features television, digital and radio advertising...